Epiphany in Slovakia ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Epiphany in Slovakia and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Epiphany, also known as Theophany, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. In Eastern Christianity, Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. In the Orthodox Church, Epiphany is one of the twelve Great Feasts, and is commemorated with an all-night vigil on January 5/6. In Western Christianity, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, and is the twelfth night of Christmas.
The word “Epiphany” comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, which means “appearance” or “manifestation”. The feast of Epiphany celebrates the moment when Jesus was revealed as the Son of God to the world. In the Gospels, this event is also known as the Baptism of Jesus.
At the time of Jesus, Epiphany was a Jewish festival that celebrated the coming of the Messiah. In the Christian tradition, Epiphany became a time to celebrate the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God.
The traditional date of January 6th for the feast of Epiphany was set by the Council of Tours in 567 AD. This date was chosen because it was the 12th day after Christmas, and also the day on which the magi (wise men) are traditionally said to have arrived in Bethlehem.
In many countries, Epiphany is still celebrated with special foods and customs. In Italy, for example, a popular tradition is to eat a special cake called la Befana on Epiphany Eve. La Befana is a good witch who brings gifts to children on Epiphany.
In Slovakia, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th with a special meal and Mass. The meal typically includes fish, as it is a day of abstinence from meat. After Mass, people often go to the cemetery to pray for the dead.